Reynolds Smith '32
Date of birth: March 10, 1909
Date of death: September 5, 1942
Age: 33
Lucky Bag
From the 1932 Lucky Bag:
REYNOLDS C. SMITH
Alma, Michigan
"R. C." "Smitty"
That there is an end to everything was proved to Doc (his father is a doctor) as he dismounted the step of the W. B. & A. and thereby finished the long trip from Michigan to the U. S. N. A. Two summers at Culver Naval School, and a natural love for the sea, had fixed in him a single purpose—a naval career.
As other than a spectator, Doc has had no interest in athletics; his chief and sole ambition having been to possess a more thorough knowledge of boats and things pertaining to the sea. Even girls haven't been able to tear him from his ambitions; he has never "dragged" unless forced to by some designing or unlucky classmate.
Here, at the Naval Academy, fellows are very closely associated; so, a young man must be exceedingly fine to win and hold the respect of all with whom he mingles. Doc does just that thing.
Equally good in knowledge of ships or "radiator sessions." May you be as fine a Naval Officer as you give promise of being, Doc.
2 P.O.
Loss
Reynolds was lost when USS Gregory (APD 3) was sunk near Guadalcanal by Japanese surface forces early in the morning of September 5, 1942.
His wife was listed as next of kin; he has a memory marker in Michigan. He was also survived by his mother and "two small children" (from Lansing State Journal on September 16, 1942).
Class of 1932
Reynolds is one of 52 members of the Class of 1932 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
